By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Organizing Committee for the upcoming South Sudan Cup has announced the postponement of the draw for the 14th edition of the 2024/25 competition.
Originally, following a resolution from a South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Board meeting last week, the draw was scheduled for today, Monday, March 10, 2025. However, on Sunday, the organizing committee declared the draw would be postponed to a later date, which is yet to be announced.
According to initial plans, had the draw proceeded as scheduled, the competition kick-off would have been set for Saturday, March 15th, 2025.
The committee explained that the postponement was necessary to allow organizers sufficient time to plan the competition thoroughly.
They acknowledged the high anticipation surrounding the South Sudan Cup and emphasized that they are finalizing detailed plans to avoid disruptions before and during the games.
During an extraordinary meeting last week, the SSFA Board of Directors approved the regulations governing the South Sudan Cup 2024/2025.
the regulations is that the Cup Champion will represent South Sudan in the Council of East and Central African Football Association (CECAFA) Kagame Cup. Should the Cup Winner also be the Premier League Champion or Runner-up, the Cup Runner-up will then secure the CECAFA Kagame Cup slot.
In the same meeting, the board also approved Rumbek, Juba, and Renk as the hosting venues for the group stage matches of the South Sudan Cup 2024/2025.
Additionally, the board approved and amended the Premier League Qualification Rules, specifically Articles 15(a) and (c) of the South Sudan Premier League 2024/2025, confirming that the Premier League Champion will qualify for the CAF Champions League, while the Premier League Runner-up will qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Jamus FC of Juba, the champion of the South Sudan Cup 2023/24 edition, secured their title by defeating Al-Merriekh FC Bentiu in a controversial penalty shootout in Juba early last year. They subsequently represented South Sudan in the CAF Confederation Cup but were eliminated 5-0 on aggregate by Stade Tunisien of Tunisia in the preliminary stages.
In the 2024/25 edition, Jamus FC will represent the Juba Local Football Association at the national level, following their 2-1 victory over Malakia FC in the South Sudan Cup final played at Juba Stadium.
Last year’s South Sudan National Championship finalist, Al-Merriekh FC of Bentiu, represented the country in the CAF Champions League, where they were eliminated by Gor Mahia FC of Kenya, despite a strong performance against the “K’Ogalo Boys.” In Juba Stadium late last year.